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The Last Drop of Hemlock
The Last Drop of Hemlock: A Mystery | Katharine Schellman
9 posts | 9 read | 3 to read
In The Last Drop of Hemlock, the dazzling follow up to Last Call at the Nightingale, even a dance can come with a price... The rumor went through the Nightingale like a flood, quietly rising, whispers hovering on lips in pockets of silence. Life as a working-class girl in Prohibition-era New York isnt safe or easy. But Vivian Kelly has a new job at the Nightingale, an underground speakeasy where the jazz is hot and the employees look out for each other in a world that doesnt care about them. Things are finally looking up for her and her sister Florence... until the night Vivian learns that her friend Bea's uncle, a bouncer at the Nightingale, has died. His death is ruled a suicide, but Bea isnt so convinced. She knew her uncle was keeping a secret: a payoff from a mob boss that was going to take him out of the tenements and into a better life. Now, the money is missing. Though her better judgment tells her to stay out of it, Vivian agrees to help Bea find the truth about her uncle's death. But they uncover more than they expected when rumors surface of a mysterious letter writer, blackmailing Vivian's poorest neighbors for their most valuable possessions, threatening poison if they don't comply. Death is always a heartbeat away in Jazz Age New York, where mob bosses rule the back alleys and cops take bootleggers hush money. But whoever is targeting Vivians poor and unprotected neighbors is playing a different game. With the Nightingale's dangerously lovely owner, Honor, worried for her employees' safety and Bea determined to discover who is responsible for her uncle's death, Vivian once again finds herself digging through a dead man's past in hopes of stopping a killer.
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KathyWheeler
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Lower end of pick scale. I like the characters and the setting — Jazz Age New York — but I didn‘t find the mystery particularly interesting. Vivian and Honor are eventually going to have to make up their minds about each other. Outside walk today was lovely. #audiowalk

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KathyWheeler
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I think I read these books for the characters rather than the mystery. In this one, Bea‘s uncle dies; everyone but Vivian thinks it‘s a suicide. Florence comes more into her own here. I had to walk inside today because of the rain. #audiowalk

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CaitlinR
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I was so glad to spend time with Vivian Kelly again. It was also good to get to know her sister, Florence better. All the other great characters are here too: Danny, Honor and Bea, whose Uncle has died. Ruled a suicide by the cops, the friends aren‘t convinced and there investigation reveals a terrible conspiracy. Once again Schellman gives us wonderful period detail. Can‘t wait for the next in the series!

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BookmarkTavern
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When Bea‘s uncle appears to have mulled himself, it‘s up to Vivian to uncover what really happened & find the connections to a new blackmailing gang in town.

I loved this one just as much as the first! A fun, diverse, & complex cast with more Florence & Danny! A beautifully set 1920s speakeasy! A twisty turny mystery that I did not predict the final twist on! A bit slow in the beginning, but a absolute blast to finish. 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑

CatLass007 This looks like a fun new series. It‘s not available through Libby but I added the first book in the series to my Audible wish list. 9mo
BookmarkTavern @CatLass007 I‘ve been enjoying it! And the audiobook narrator is fantastic! 9mo
CatLass007 That‘s so important. A poor narrator has led me to bail more than once. 9mo
63 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Read_By_Red
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Pickpick

The mystery was intriguing once things got going, and I also really liked seeing Florence come out of her shell. Between the era, the speakeasy, the characters and the story I found this to be a fun series to return to. I also enjoyed the audiobook. Young gives each character their own personality and voice, making each one unique. I wish the pace had been a little faster, but between the inflection and tone it was still an enjoyable audiobook.

BookmarkTavern This is my next listen! Your review is making me look forward even more to it! 9mo
Read_By_Red @BookmarkTavern I hope you enjoy it as much as I did, and thank you! 9mo
4 likes2 comments
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Reecaspieces
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Mehso-so
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Amie
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Book 2 in Nightingale mystery series, set in 1920s. I love the diversity in this series, because that is often lacking in historical mysteries, and this cover is gorgeous 😍 but the story was really slow getting started and I just didn't enjoy it as much as I hoped to. The characters are good, so I will probably keep reading the series if it continues.

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TorieStorieS
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Mehso-so

Happy Belated Publication Day to the sequel to LAST CALL AT THE NIGHTINGALE! As the title suggests, this time Vivian finds herself in the midst of investigating death by poisoning! The cast is all back with a few new faces, too. I was a little disappointed to have figured out the mystery early on but I enjoyed Florence playing a larger role— I find her more sympathetic than the heroine… but Jazz Age NYC makes for a fun backdrop! Cheers to more!

5feet.of.fury Gorgeous beverage 😍 1y
TorieStorieS @5feet.of.fury It‘s just fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice in a fancy glass! 🤣 1y
5feet.of.fury @TorieStorieS 🤣 well it still looks fancy 1y
TorieStorieS @5feet.of.fury Thanks!! The secret is glass! Anything is fancy in a coupé! ? 1y
49 likes4 comments
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Preciouz29
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Book 2 of this series is just as good, if not better, than book 1! I loved that they‘re involving Flo more and it‘s nice to see that there might soon be resolution to the romantic triangle. The mystery was as page turning as ever with lots of clues and red herrings.

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